Compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions for treating and preventing presbycusis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 043,557, filed Apr. 9, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions for treating and preventing presbycusis.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Age-related hearing loss or presbycusis poses enormous humanitarian and economic challenges to society. In the US, it is estimated that 23 percent of people aged between 65 and 75 years of age, and 40 percent of people over 75 years of age have presbycusis, and the number of people suffering from this disorder is expected to grow dramatically as the population of older people increases (Someya et al., Neurobiol. Aging 20:1613 [2007]).[0004]Presbycusis is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most individ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for treating and / or preventing a neurodegenerative disease (e.g., presbycusis), comprising administering a composition comprising an extract of coral to a subject having symptoms of a neurodegenerative disease or at risk of a neurodegenerative disease under conditions such that symptoms are prevented or reduced. In some embodiments, the coral extract is an aqueous liquid (e.g., MiliQ water or distilled water). In some embodiments, the coral extract has a pH of approximately 7.0 to 9.0 (e.g., 8.0). In some embodiments, the coral extract has a calcium content of approximately 1.4 mg / L to 140 mg / L (e.g., 7 mg / L to 21 mg / L, 8.5 mg / L to 19.5 mg / L, 10 mg / L to 18 mg / L, 11 mg / L to 17 mg / L, 12.8 mg / L to 15.8 mg / L, 13.6 mg / L to 15 mg / L, 13.9 mg / L to 14.7 mg / L, 14 mg / L to 14.6 mg / L, 14.2 mg / L to 14.5 mg / L, or approximately 14.30 mg / L). In some embodiments, the coral extract has a magnesium content of approximately 0.54 mg / L to 54.0 mg / L (e.g., 2.7 mg / L to 8.1 mg / L, 3.2 mg / L to 7.6 mg / L, 3.8 mg / L to 7 mg / L, 4.3 mg / L to 6.5 mg / L, 4.9 mg / L to 5.9 mg / L, 5.1 mg / L to 5.7 mg / L, 5.2 mg / L to 5.6 mg / L, 5.3 mg / L to 5.5 mg / L, 5.35 mg / L to 5.45 mg / L, or approximately 5.4 mg / L). In some embodiments, the coral extract has a sodium content of approximately 0.1 mg / L to 50.0 mg / L (e.g., 0.53 mg / L to 1.59 mg / L, 0.76 mg / L to 1.46 mg / L, 0.86 mg / L to 1.26 mg / L, 0.96 mg / L to 1.16 mg / L, 1.0 mg / L to 1.1 mg / L, 1.03 mg / L to 1.09 mg / L, 1.04 mg / L to 1.08 mg / L, 1.05 mg / L to 1.07 mg / L, 1.055 mg / L to 1.065 mg / L, or approximately 1.06 mg / L). In some embodiments, the coral extract has a potassium content of approximately 0.03 mg / L to 30.0 mg / L (e.g., 0.14 mg / L to 0.42 mg / L, 0.17 mg / L to 0.53 mg / L, 0.2 mg / L to 0.36 mg / L, 0.22 mg / L to 0.34 mg / L, 0.25 mg / L to 0.31 mg / L, 0.27 mg / L to 0.29 mg / L, 0.275 mg / L to 0.285 mg / L, 0.272 mg / L to 0.288, 0.277 mg / L to 0.283 mg / L, or approximately 0.28 mg / L. In some embodiments, the liquid has a hardness of approximately 5.8 mg / L to 580 mg / L (e.g., 29 mg / L to 87 mg / L, 35 mg / L to 81 mg / L, 41 mg / L to 75 mg / L, 47 mg / L to 69 mg / L, 52 mg / L to 64 mg / L, 55 mg / L to 61 mg / L, 56 mg / L to 60 mg / L, 57 mg / L to 59 mg / L, 57.5 mg / L to 58.5 mg / L or approximately 58 mg / L. In some embodiments, the administration of the coral extract results in prevention or reduction in loss of spiral ganglion cells in the subject.

Problems solved by technology

Age-related hearing loss or presbycusis poses enormous humanitarian and economic challenges to society.

Because the process of loss is gradual, people who have presbycusis may not realize that their hearing is diminishing.

This contributes to difficulty hearing and understanding speech.

The cumulative effects of repeated exposure to daily traffic sounds or construction work, noisy offices, equipment that produces noise, and loud music can cause sensorineural hearing loss.

Nonetheless, no preventative or therapeutic interventions have been developed for presbycusis.

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